Colts Neck Board approves reorganization items; retains two long‑time attorneys at $165 an hour

The Colts Neck Township Board of Education approved its slate of reorganization items and a package of routine operating motions at a May 20 reorganization meeting, voting to keep long‑time outside counsel and to adopt a series of budgetary and personnel authorizations.

Board President Mrs. Cameron moved the full reorganization slate and the motion passed on a roll call vote approving items 1–28. The roll call showed Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Horwitz, Mr. Rico, Mr. Regnetta, Mr. Scales, Mr. Scarpa, Mrs. Volpe, Mr. Walsh and Mr. Whitford voting yes; Mr. Scales was recorded as recusing himself from item 4 and Mr. Scarpa recused himself from item 20.

During discussion the board heard that attorneys Maggie Miller and Mark (last name not stated on the record) are leaving Weiner & Weiner and will continue serving the district from their new firm, Scherinsky & Hollandback; the board agreed to retain them and administration said they accepted an hourly rate of $165 for another year. A separate authorization on the agenda referenced a not‑to‑exceed figure of $200,000 for a listed contract; administration clarified that the figure was a formal cap for authorization and that the district’s actual annual legal fees are significantly lower than that ceiling.

Other consent actions approved by roll call included approval of minutes, curriculum items, finance items, a single negotiations item, a transportation item and personnel items 1–15. Finance items 1–9 included several additions posted shortly before the meeting; board members noted the timing but approved the motions. Personnel approvals included recognition of a retirement and routine personnel changes.

Board members took time to acknowledge departing staff and to ask clarifying questions before votes. After approving the public agenda motions, the board opened public comment (no speakers came forward) and later moved into executive session to discuss negotiations and a personnel evaluation.

Votes at a glance - Reorganization items 1–28: Approved (roll call; Mr. Scales recused from item 4; Mr. Scarpa recused from item 20). - Action items 1–3: Approved (roll call). - Curriculum items 2–4: Approved (roll call). - Finance items 1–9: Approved (roll call). - Negotiations item: Approved (roll call). - Transportation item: Approved (roll call). - Personnel items 1–15: Approved (roll call; recusals noted in roll call transcript).

What the board directed next: Administration said it will maintain current vendor relationships while remaining open to future RFPs, and staff will remove the outdated Wiener Law Group entry from the anticipated‑contracts grid as requested by a board member. The meeting concluded with a move to executive session on negotiations and the superintendent’s personnel review.